Air cleaner



Jan." 29, 1946; J. B. SEBOK 2,393,660

7 AIR CLEANER Filed Jan. 30, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 29, 1946. J. B. SEBOK 2,393,660

AIR CLEANER Filed Jan. 50, 1.942 s Sheets-Sheet 2 J. B. SEBOK Jan. 29, 1946.

A IR CLEANER Filed Jan. 30, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 VE c/OJEPH 5. Jase/f Patented Jan. 29, 1945 UNlTEDvSTA TES PATENT orrice Joseph B. Sebok, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Hon daille-Hershey Corporation, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Michigan Application January 30, 1942, Serial No. 428,815

' 12 Claims. (01. use-15) This invention relates to improvements in a liquid bath air cleaner for use in'connection with an alrintake to an internal combustion engine, air compressor, or other forms of apparatus to which it is desirable to supply clean air; More specifically, the air cleaner is highly advantageous for use in connection with motorcycles, although the invention may be used with other and various types of vehicles as well as other and various types of devices such as internal combustion engines needing a supply of clean. air, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, the instant invention will be in the main described herein in connection with its use on a motorcycle, so'as to better set forth all of the advantages of the invention.

It has been proven that air cleaners are essential to motorcycles if continued satisfactory operation is expected, and this is especially true when the motorcycle is used over rough terrain in cross country work. Dimculty has been experienced heretofore in the satisfactory use of an air cleaner, especially a liquid bath air cleaner, with a motorcycle because, as frequently happens in cross country work, the motorcycle falls to one side or the other with the engine still running. When that happens with air cleaners heretofore known, the cleaner is tipped and the cleansing liquid usually contained in a sump or cup at the lower part of the cleaner would readily flow into the filter mass and consequently be carried over into the engine or carburetor through the clean air outlet. Further, cleaners heretofore known were frequently plugged by dirt thrown from the wheels of a motorcycle, and were not sumciently rugged to withstand the rough usage to which a motorcycle and all of its parts are frequentlysubjected.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a liquid bath air cleaner which may be tipped sidewise from the vertical at least as far as a horizontal position in either direction without spilling the cleansing liquid contained in the sump of the cleaner and without any danger of this liquid being carried over into the carburetor or internal combustion engine while the air cleaner is tipped.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of an air cleaner having a liquid trap on opposite sides thereof, each trap being of suil'icient capacity to hold all of. the liquid normally supplied to the sump of the cleaner and prevent that liquid from entering the filter mass or reachingthe clean air outlet of the device in the event the cleaner is tipped over sidewise.

Also an object of this invention is the provision of an air cleaner provided with a plurality of liquid traps to prevent spilling or pull over of sump liquid in the event the cleaner is tipped;

sidewi'se, which liquid traps during normal operation and position of the cleaner function as a portion of the dirty air inlet, thus aflording an inlet so arranged and distributed as to area that restriction is reduced to substantially a minimum.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an air cleaner constructed to withstand extremely hard usage and at the same time reduce restriction to air passage through the cleanen below that heretofore available for cleaners of the same capacity.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide a liquid bath air cleaner in which a plurality of inlet openings are provided located in semi-protective regions where such inlet openings will not become plugged by dirt thrown or spilled thereagainst during operation of the vehicle with which the cleaner is associated.

Still a further feature of the instant invention resides in the provision of a liquid bath air cleaner having a casing of separable sections embodying an arrangement for fastening the two sections together to effectively provide an air tight seal therebetween which is unaffected by abnormally rough usage or treatment of the cleaner.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a liquid bath air cleaner constructed to permit a variance in capacity of the cleaner by a simple interchange of certain parts of the cleaner. 7

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a liquid bath air cleaner equipped with a novel backfire trap;

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above set forth, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

in which:

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view sectional view on the same plane as Figure 1, but

-- cycle.

' namely,

from the right hand side of Figure 1, illustrat-- ing the clamping member in closed position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlargement of the lower right hand portion of Figure 1, illustrating the joining of the separable casing sections;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary central vertical sectional view onthe same plane as Figure 1, but

illustrating the use of a different, type of baiiie within the cleaner; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical. sectional view on the same lane as Figure 2, illustrating the baffle means of Figure 7.

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention there is shown a liquid bath air cleaner embodying a casing including an upper section i which houses the filter mass or element as well as the traps for sump liquid in the event the casing is tipped sidewise; and a lower section or liquid cup 2 removably connected to the upper section I. This lower section 2 is shaped to define internally a sump for cleansing liquid which is usually engine oil. In the illustrated instance,

I the casing is as nearly rectangular in shape as is feasible with facile manufacture; in other words, the comer portions are rounded or manufacturing expediency and to inslli'e an airtight joining of the separable casing sections as well as enable the cleaner to withstand rough handling and usage.

Adiacent the upper end thereof, the upper casing section I is provided with an outwardly extending bead 3 against which the lower edge of a depending skirt 4 of a cover member 5 may seat. Preferably, the skirt 4 is spot welded. brazed, or otherwise secured to the upper margin of the casing section i above the bead 3 to firmly unite these parts and provide an airtight seal between them. Dirty air inlet ports are pmvided through the skirt of the cover member 5. preferably in a plurality of locations so as to provides. more even fiow of incoming air through the cleaner and lessen the likelihood of turbulence interfering with the capacity of the cleaner. In

this instance, a series of louvered inlet ports 6 are provided in one end of the casing, and a sec ond series of louvered.inlet ports I are provided.

along one side of the casing cover. The opposite side of the casing cover is imperforate and the other endvof the casing is provided with aclean air outlet conduit 8 which, in the illustrated instance, extends through both a portion of the cover 5 andthe casing section I. 8, of course, is connected with the air intake of whatever device the cleaner is associated with, such for example as the carburetor air intake for an internal combustion engine. 7 A

Assuming, for purposes of example, that the illustratedcleaner is associated with a motorthe cleaner will be so mounted on. the motorcycle that th outlet conduit 8 is forward, r towards the front wheel of the motorcycle. This positioning results, of course, in the louvered inlets i being disposed towards the rear, while the louvered inlets 1 are preferably dis- .Wsed on the inside next to the frame of the motorcycle. Thus, the imper orate side of the cleaner 'is 'to the outside of the motorcycle. Therefore, if the motorcycle tips to the right, the inlets 1 are kept away from the ground by the frame of the 'machine, and if it tips to the left. only the imperforate side. of the cleaner may contact the'ground. By providing louvered in- The conduiti5 and B6 are in open communication with tering the ports 6 at the back of the cleaner tending to rush immediately to the forward part of the cleaner is ofiset by the air entering through the side inlet ports E, and likewise turbulence which might result from the air entering the. side inlet ports 1 is offset by the air entering the rear inlet ports 6, so that a relatively even flow of air throughout the cleaner is obtained.

Within the casing the clean air outlet conduit 3 communicates with the interior of a filtering chamber defined by a tubular partition 9 over the upper end of which is attached a housing l0. With reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the sidewalls of the housing 10 are flanged on each side as indicated at i l-ll just above the juncture with the partition 9 to provide a seat for a filter cartridge to be later described. With reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that the housing slopes rearwardly from a point at the forward end of the cleaner above the outlet conduit 8 to a point at the rear end of the cleaner below the lowermost one of the louvered inlets 6. At the rear end of the cleaner the housin IE1 is provided with an end wall l2 which also has a flanged lower margin is to function as a seat for the filter cartridge; Likewise, the housing is provided with a front wall ,l l having a lower flanged margin i5, this wall being apertured to accommodate the clean an; outlet conduit a.

With reference more particularly to'Figure 3, it will be seen that the partition 9 is of the same general shape as the casing, but is narrower than the inside width of the casing so that the partition contacts the casing wall I at each end of the casing, and is preferably secured thereto, but is spaced ing open spaces or'traps l5 and 16 respectively on each side of the filter partition. These traps 1e inside of the liquid cup 2 at, their bottom ends, and in open communication with the space it above the housing" In at the top of the casing. Now, assuming that the air cleaner is mounted on a motorcycle in the manner above described, if the motorcycle falls over to the right, the liquid contained in the sump defined by the cup 2 will move over into the trap l8 and a side portion of a novel backfire trap in the nature of a baffle plate It (Figure 2) prevents the liquid from running out the inlet openings 1. Likewise, if the motorcycle falls over to the left, the sump liquid will be caught in the trap l5. In either instance, the sump liquid is prevented from ever reaching, the outlet conduit 8 and passing over into-the engine with which the air cleaner is associated. Each trap l5 and I8 is preferably so sized as toaccommodate substantially all of the free liquid in the sump, usually not taking into account the sump liquid impregnating the lower portion of the filter mass, of which liquid only a negligible amount could reach the engine regardless of the tipping.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that the backfire baffle 19 extends from the casing wall I, slopes inwardly and upwardly in the space I8 over the traps IS- and It, as well as the rear portion of the housing Ill.- The upper from the sidewalls of the casing leavaaeaeeo inner margin of the baifle is curved downwardly as shown at Isa. Perimetrically this baflle extends from opposite sides of the outlet conduit 8 at the point of juncture with the housing l entirely around the casing. Thus, the construction of the baffle IE! not only prevents cleansin liquid from running out the inlet openings 8 and in the event the cleaner is tipped, but also prevents loss of cleansing liquid in the event of backfire through the carburetor of the internal combustion engine with which the cleaner is associated. A backfire will cause a sudden blast of pressure through the cleaner in a reverse direc-' be made up of any suitable material such as wavy wire, curled cattle tail hair, cactus fiber,

or any other suitable material deemed most feasible under particular manufacturing circumstances. In this instance the filter medium is in the nature of a pair of removable cartridges of substantially identical construction. These cartridges are generally indicated by numeral 28 for the upper or innermost cartridge, and numeral 2| for the outer or lowermost cartridge.

Each filter cartridge embodies an imperforate outer wall 22 sized to slidingly' fit within the tubular partition 9. At each end thereof, the wall 22 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 23 which extends entirely around the cartridge and with the aid of a sheet of hardware cloth 24 or the equivalent retains the filter mass 25 within the confines of the wall 22 and flanges 23. The cartridges are slipped within the partition 9 so that the innermost cartridge seats against the aforesaid shoulders or flanges l3 and I5, and the lowermost or outer cartridge 2| seats against the inner cartridge.

The filter cartridges are held in position, in the illustrated instance, by a baffle member generally indicated by numeral 26. The baflle is supported in position by one or more channel supports 21 (two being illustrated) located in the, trap l and preferably secured both to the casing wall I and the tubular partition 8. Each such channel support has a depending leg 28 notched as indicated at 29 in Figure 2 for the reception of a margin of the baiile. In the opposite tra-p I6 is another channel support 30 having'a depending leg 3| provided with a suitable bolt holding bracket 32 which carries a bolt that extends through an aperture of the baille and is engaged below the baille by a suitable thumb nut 33 or the equivalent.

- The bafile itself is preferably made of a single piece of material and includes a centrally upstanding iiat portion 34 which bears against the lowermost filter cartridge 2| lengthwise of the air cleaner, as seen clearly in Figures 1 and 2. From this central portion two similarly shaped tering the notch 28 in the leg 28 of the support 21. On the opposite side, the wing 36 is provided with a suitable aperture to receive the bolt carried by the holder 32 on the support 30. When in this 'position, with the wing 35 engaged as above described with the support legs 28-28, and the thumb nut33 tightened beneath the opposite wing 36, the baiile is firmly held in position and preferably under some tension which results from the tendency to somewhat bend the wings 35 and 36 when the thumb nut 33 is tightened in position. Such tension eliminates likelihood of rattle or slippagein connection with the baflie and associated parts. Thus mounted in position, the baiile tightly and effectively maintains the filter cartridges within the tubular partition 9.

Novel and highly effective means are provided for joining the liquid cup 2 to the upper casing section I so as to provide an air tight seal therebetween and yet facilitate the ready removal of the liquid cup when desired. -These means are in the nature of a pair of oppositely disposed casing sections are joined together;

over' center clamping members designed to pro vide more drawing or clamping pressure than is given merely by the overcenter construction.

With reference more particularly to Figures 1. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the upper casing section I is provided with a circumscribing sleeve 38 shaped at its upper end to form an outwardly extending gasket holding channel 39 which carries a suitable gasket 4|) made of cork, rubber, felt, composition, or other feasible sealing material. The cup section 2 has an outwardly turned upper margin as indicated at 4|, and the bend of this turned margin" seats against the gasket as indicated at 42 in Figure 6 when the Immediately below the turned margin 4| at each end of the air cleaner the upstanding skirt of the cup the hasp or latching member of the clamping wings curve downwardly and outwardly in oppo-- site directions, a wing 35 curving toward the channel supports 28-28 and a wing 38 curving mechanism.

This clamping mechanism embodies a channel bracket 45 attached at each end to the upper casing section An actuating lever comprising a tubular or channel portion46 and an integral outwardly extending curvate thumb piece 41 is pivoted to the bracket 45 by pivot pin 48. A

hasp or latching member 49 having an opening 50 through which the channel lever 46 extends is pivoted to the channel lever by a pivot pin 5| r which pivot pin is free to move longitudinally of the member 46 within opposed elongated slots 52. is provided with a second opening 53 to receive the outstanding keeper 44, and is also provided with anupstanding'tongue or locking element 54 engageable inside the keeper 44 as seen best in Figures 5 and 6. 7

With reference to Figure 4, it will be seen that the locking device isin open position, and the cup section 2 is telescoped over the lower portion of the upper casing section but the flare 4| on the cup is not in contact with the gasket 40. It is now a simple expedient to swing the latch member 40 into engagement with the keeper 44 so that the tongue 54 is locked within the keeper. while elevating thethumb lever 41. lever 41 together. with the tubular portion 46 is forced over center into upright position as seen in Figure 5, the hasp or latch '49 tightly clamps At its lower end the hasp or latch 49 When the thumb the upper section I so that the turned margin ll' of the cup section seats firmly against the gasket as indicated at 42 in Figure 6. As stated before, to positively insure an air tight seal between the casing sections and to eliminate rattle, etc., a relatively heavy spring 55 is disposed freely within the tubular lever portion 46 between the pivot pins 48 and 5|, so that the spring tends to force the pivot pins apart. When the clamping lever 41 is moved into the upright position seen in Figures 1, 5 and 6, the pivot pin 5| is naturally brought downward within the elongated slots 52, thereby compressing the spring 55 as seen best in Figure 1. Thus the over center action of the clamping element is augmented and materially strengthened by the action of the spring,

and one such clamping device including thespring at each end of the air cleaner is amply sufficient to insure a positive air tight seal between the separable casing sections.

In operation, the cleaner above described is extremely eificient. Assuming .that the cleaner IS in condition for operation, with the casing sections joined together, and the outlet conduit 8 connected to the carburetor of aninternal combustion engine, for example, due to the suction of the engine incoming dirty air enters through the louvered inlet openings 6 and l which, as stated above, are located in semi-protected areas, namely, at the back of the air cleaner and along the side of the air cleaner adjacent the frame of a motorcycle for example. The disposition of the inlet openings so that the path of incoming air aaeaeeo ii the motorcycle is tipped to the left, sump liquid will be caught in the trap l5 and so prevented from leaving the cleaner either through the inlet openings or the clean air outlet conduit 8. When the motorcycle has again been righted, the liquid will return to the sump and the cleaner will again operate as above described. It will be especially noted that it makes no difference whatever whether or not the motorcycle engine is running and continues to run at the time the motorcycle falls either to the left or right. It will further be noted that in the event the motorcycle falls, it is impossible for either set of inlet openings to be jammed into the ground, because one set is disposed towards the rear of the machine, and the other set is protected by the frame of the machine. If the motorcycle falls to the left and the casing comes in contact with the ground, that side of the casing is imperforate and the rugged construction of the cleaner should protect it against all reasonable fallings or accidents, without in any manner affecting its efficiency or operation.

Likewise, due to the baffle plate ii! there can be through the carburetor of the internal combustion engine with which the cleaner is associated.

crosses at right angles avoids any loss of capacity due to turbulence within the cleaner. The entering air through both sets of openings arrives in the space l8 above the housing [0 at the top of the cleaner, that air entering the openings I passing over the baille IS. The entering air then descends on opposite sides of the casing through the traps I5 and I6 and strikes the sump liquid on top of the baille wings and 38 The normal level of sumpliquid is substantially even with the lower end of the tubular partition 9, which is preferably just sufilcient to seal off the traps l5 and I6. All of the'sump liquid resting on top of the baffle wings 35 and 36 is immediately carried up into the lower filter cartridge 2| by the rush of incoming air. Such liquid circulates within the filter mass and foreign particles are effectively removed from the air. The upper portion. of the filter mass, including all or a part of the upper cartridge 20, not only removes finer foreign particles from the traveling air but also cleanses the air of any entrained sump liquid 50 that clean air free from sump liquid passes out the conduit 8.

During the cleansing operation there will be a circulation of air through the lower portion of the filter medium and heavy dirt laden liquid will gravitate over the wings 35 and 36 back into the sump and other cleansing liquid will be aspirated from the sump through the openings 56-56 between the side edges of the bailie wings and the adjacent wall 01. the liquid cup 2.

In the event, assuming for example that the cleaner is attached in the manner above described to a motorcycle, the motorcycle is tipped to the right, sump liquid both beneath and above the baflle will promptly gravitate into thetrap It. With the liquid lying in this trap, no liquid can flow through the filter mass into the engine, nor can any of the liquid flow out the inlet openings 0 or I, the inletppenings 8 being disposed'out of line of the liquid, and the baille i9 preventing any flow of liquid out of the opening I. Likewise,

In addition, it is apparent that the cleaner is designed to provide a thorough and effective circulation of sump liquid over the baffle and through the lower portion of the filter insuring a very high cleaning efficiency, and the ample inlet path for incoming air defined by the space I8 and the traps l5 and 3 reduces restriction to the travel of air to a point below that of any other cleaner of equal capacity with which I am familiar. It is further apparent that a positive and quickly adaptable air seal occurs between the lower casing section 2 and the upper casing section I, effected by my novel clamping arrangement with the pulling power of the over center clamping element augmented by the action of the springs 55-55.

When it is desired to cleanse the air cleaner parts or replace sump liquid, it is a simple expedient to release the clamping elements and pull oil the liquid cup, dumping out the old liquid together with the accumulated dirt, and replenishing the cup with new cleansing liquid to the desired level. When the cup is removed, it is a simple expedient to remove the thumb nut 33, take out the baflle 26, thus permitting both filter cartridges 20 and 2| to drop out of the tubular partition 9. These filter cartridges may then be washed in kerosene, gasoline, or other equivalent cleansing medium, readily replaced in the tubular partition 9, the battle placed again in position, and anchored under tension by the thumb nut 33. Then the oil cup with the new liquid supply may be replaced, the clamping elements again locked in the position seen in Figure 1, and the cleaner is ready for operation. Thus, the cleaner can be serviced simply, andvery quickly, without the aid of any tools or mechanical implements whatever.

Assuming it is desired to increase the capacity of the cleaner without detracting to any but a most negligible degree from the efficiency, and of course without causing a likelihood of pull over of cleansing liquid to the carburetor of the internal combustion engine through ordinary operation, this may be accomplished with the instant invention in a simple and quickly accomplished operation of substituting a diflerent form of baille. v

With reference to Figures! and 8, it will be seen that I'have illustrated a substitute form be efiiciently cleaned, but there will be no danappended drawings, it is apparent that I have joining the separable parts of the casing section separation of the sections when desired 01! baifle designed to increase the capacity of the air cleaner. All of the other portions of the air cleaner construction, including the baffle support ing means, remain the same as above described, the only difference in structure being the baiiie itself. To efiect this increase in the capacity. of the cleaner, it is a simple expedient to remove the baffle 26 as above described. Another battle 5! is then inserted and held in position in identically the same manner as was the baflle 26. The bafile 61, however, does not have the curvate wings 35 and 36 of the baille 26, but on the other hand is substantially a sheet of material bowed upwardly slightly from one side to the other. On the topof the heme is a pair of yoke members 56-58 one at each end of the baffle which bear against the flange 23 01'. the lowermost filter cartridge 2| and thus retains the filter cartridges in position. The tightening of the thumb nut 33 will also provide some. inherent tension in the 20 baiiie 51 so that the filter cartridges will positively be held in position and rattling and other noises will be eliminated.

Using a baiiie of the character of the baffle 51, also provides a circulatory action of cleansing liquid over the upper surface of the baffle and the aspiration of cleansing liquid through the openings 56-56 between the edges of the baiile and the adjacent wall of the casing section 2, but all of the liquid initiallyon top of the bafile will not at once be carried up into the filter mass by incoming air, since the baiile is not so shaped as to guide all of this liquid into the filter mass as are the wings 35 and 36 on the baflle 26. Consequently, during operation there will be a somewhat less quantity of cleansing liquid within the filter mass and the liquid willbe mostly concentrated in the lower portion of the filter mass, thereby permitting a greater amount of air to pass through the cleaner, which air will not only that the capacity of the cleaner may be altered at will by a simple substitution of baflie elements. By virtue of the disclosure herein and in the provided a novel form of air cleaner highly desirable for use in connection with motorcycles and similar vehicles, although the air cleaner may together which means provide a highly positive air tight seal between the separable sections when joined, and which permit a ready and facile It will of course be understood that various details of construction may be varied through'a" wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1 a

1. In an air cleaner, a casing having an inlet opening in each of an end wall and a sidewall, said casing having a liquid sump in the bottom thereof, a partition inside said casing spaced from the opposed casing sidewalls and defining a filter compartment filter means inside said compartment, imperforate means spaced above said filter means and sealing oil the filter compartment, an outlet conduit communicating with the filter compartment above the filter means and extending to the outside casing wall, a baiiie beneath said filter means and extending beyond'the sides thereof but not to the casing wall, and the spaces between said partition and the casing sidewalls functioning both as passages for incoming air and as traps for sump liquid in the event the cleaner is tippedsidewise in either direction, said baiiie preventing free sump liquid from entering said filter means when the cleaner is tipped.

2. In an air cleaner, a casing having an'inlet opening near the top and a liquid sump at the bottom, covered partition means in said casing defining a filter compartment open only at the bottom towards said sump, removable filter cartridges in said compartment, a baiiie below said partition means and extending therebeyond having a raised portion supporting said cartridges in position, said partition means being spaced from opposed walls of the casing to define incoming air passages. and traps for sump liquid it the cleaner is tipped sidewise, and outlet conduit means communicating with the filter compartment.

3. In an air cleaner, a casing having an inlet opening, said casing having a liquid sump at the bottom thereof, a tubular partition in said 'casing above said sump and spaced from the easing wall to provide a (passage for incoming air; filter-means within said partition, an outlet conduit communicating with the interior of said partition above the filter means, baflle supporting means in said passage for incoming air, and a baflle held under tension by said supporting means with a part of the baflle contacting said filter means to maintain the latter in position.

4. In an air cleaner, a casing having an inlet opening. said casing having a, liquid sump at the bottom thereof, a tubular partition in said casing above said sump and spaced from the casing wall to provide a passage for incoming air,

filter means within said partition, an outlet conduit communicating with the interior of said partition above the filter means, a notched ba'fiie support in said passage for incoming air, a baiile [shaped for complemental engagement in the notch of said support and having a part arranged to contact and support saidfilter means, and a second bafile support in said passage spaced from the, first support and arranged to engage said bailie and hold the same under tension.

5. In a liquid bath air cleaner, a casing having spaced inlet and outlet openings and a liquid sump therein adjacent the path of r traveling through the casing, filter means in said casing,

. an imperiorate' wall around said filter means spaced from opposite parts or said casing to provide trapscommunicating with said sump, and a baflle. below said filter means and extending outwardly beyond the filter means and .over a. part of the traps in position to prevent sump liquid from entering the filter means instead of all entering a trap in the event the cleaner is tipped.

6. In an air cleaner, a casing having spaced inlet and outlet openings near the top thereof and a sump for cleansing liquid in the lower part thereof, meansin said casing containing a filter mass, a housing over said means and mass and opening through said outlet openingisaid means being disposed to define on a plurality of sides thereof an air inlet passage'leading toward said sump, said passages communicating with each other above said housing, and a baiile member extending slantwise over the upper portions of said inlet passages in spaced relationship to said housing and having a downwardly turned inner margin, said baffle member preventing escape of liquid through said inlet opening in the event of a reverse pressure through the cleaner.

7. an. air cleaner for association with an in ternal combustion engine, including a clwed-top casing substantially rectangular in cross-section an inlet opening near the top of the casing and extending substantially the full length 01 the side, the other and outer side being imperforate, partition means having a housing thereover spaced from the side walls of said casing to provide liquid traps as well as inlet passages, said traps communicating with the'inlet and with each other above the partition housing, an outlet conduit leading from said housing through the casing wall, filter means in said partition means, and said casing having a. liquid sump below said filter means.

8. An air cleaner for association with an internal combustion engine, including a closed-top casing substantially rectangular in cross-section to be mounted with one of the longer sides nearer the engine, said side nearer the engine having an inlet opening near the top or the casing and ex tending substantially the full length 01. theside, the other and outer side being imperforate, partltion means having a housing thereover spaced from the side wallsof said casing to provide liquid traps as well as inlet passages, said traps communicating with the inlet and with each other above the partition housing, an outlet conduit leading from said housing through the casing wall, filter means in said partition means,

' sump therein, means in said casing defining liquid traps to receive sump liquid in the event the cleaner is tipped, said traps communicating with each other and with said inlet above saidmeans to function as air inlet passages, filter means in said trap defining means, an outlet conduit leading from said trap defining means above said filter means, and baffle means extending inwardly from the casing well over the upper portions or said traps, entering air being forced to pass over the upper surface of said bafile means and then between. said bafile means and said housing to enter said air inlet passages.

10. In an air cleaner, a casing having separated inlet and outlet openings, said casing vhaving a liquid sump in the bottom thereof, an open bottomed partition housing in said casing spaced from the casing wall to define a path for/entering air leading towards said sump, filter means in said housing, means establishing communication between the outlet opening and the interior of said housing above the filter means, said path also functioning as a trap for sump liquid in. the event the'cleaner is tipped, and a baffle member extending inwardly over said path to a point spaced above said partition housing and around which entering air must travel to enter said path, said baihe servin the double function of completing said trap to prevent liquid running out the inlet owning when the cleaner is tippedand to retain liquid in the cleaner in the event of reverse pressure through the cleaner.

11. In an air cleaner, a casing having a liquid sump in the bottom thereof and an inlet opening well above said sump, a partition housing in said casing of less cross-sectional size than said casing and having an opening in the bottom thereof above said liquid sump, said partition housing having a closed top, filter means in said housing, and outlet means for clean air communicating with the interior of said housing above said filter means, said partition housing being spaced from the wall of said casing to define therebetween a ward said sump, said passage being in direct communicatlon with said inlet opening, and a baflle member so arranged asto block a. direct flow of air from the inlet opening to said passage and extending oversaid passage to hold sump liquid in the casing in event of reverse pressure through the cleaner.

12. In an air cleaner, a casing having a. liquid sump in the bottom thereof and an inlet opening well above said sump, a. partition housing in said casing of less cross-sectional size than said casing and having an opening in the bottom thereof above said liquid sump, said partition housing having a closed top, filter means in said housing, and out1et means for clean air communicatin with the interior of said housing above said filter means, said partition housing being spaced from the wall of said casing to define therebetween a passage for incoming air leading downwardly toward said sump, said passage being in direct communication with said inlet opening, and a baflle member extending inwardly over the upper part of said passage ii) a point spaced above said housing and over which incoming air must travel to reach said passage, said bafile retaining sump liquid in said passage in the event the cleaner is tipped and also retaining sump liquid in the cleanvJosrzrn B. snnox. I 

